JOHNSTOWN – In recognition of WWII Seaman First Class John M. McGinty, Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35) will host a bridge dedication ceremony honoring his service and sacrifice on Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at the St. Michael American Legion Post 551, 966 Locust St., St. Michael.
A native of St. Michael, McGinty was drafted during World War II and served in the U.S. Navy. During the war, McGinty was assigned to the USS Indianapolis. On July 30, 1945, while off the coast of the Caroline Islands in the Philippine Sea, the USS Indianapolis was hit by Japanese submarine torpedoes and sank after 12 minutes. McGinty was declared lost at sea, and he is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
To honor McGinty, the bridge carrying U.S. Route 219 over State Route 869 in Adams Township will be named the Seaman First Class John M. McGinty Memorial Bridge.